This is our first feature length film as a directing duo, and has been an incredibly exciting experience. We've spent the last few months filming in Puerto Rico, and with your generous support, the money we raise through Kickstarter will help us wrap filming on the island as well as assist with post production costs. Thanks in advance for your time and support.

Transsexualism and drag defy the binary most accept as their standard, while acting as a channel to express (and inhabit) one's individuality. Conventions are broken when men apply lashes, wigs, and dresses. Prevailing ideas of gender are turned on their head during the transitional process of a transgendered person. And yet as "other" and both drag and transsexualism may seem to some, they both reflect the universal human need to explore and fulfill. To live life as a trans individual is to embody a lifestyle of possibility and endless creation.

To capture all of this--the relationship between cultural life in one of the only colonized territories still governed by the United States, and the experience of citizens who themselves inhabit deeply dualistic identities, is for us a rare opportunity to capture a beautifully unique community.

As a trans person in Puerto Rico, not only does your experience beg the question “am I Puerto Rican, am I American, or am I both?” but also “am I a male, am I a female, or am I both?” This vagueness, this in-betweenness is what most fascinates us as filmmakers, and with this project we hope to share the stories of people who's voices may not otherwise be near enough to reach your ears.

At its core, this film is a people piece. We are interested in the relationship between the internal and external being, the dynamics between performance and gender, and the power of self-discovery.

We hope that you decide to become part of our community in support of our film, and reach out to us with any questions, suggestions, or any other things you'd like us to hear at DanandAntonio@gmail.com. Thanks again.

Love,

Dan & Antonio

INTRODUCING The Boys & Girls of MALA MALA

QUEEN BEE (Carlos) All hail the queen! Carlos reigns over Puerto Rico and is adored by his fans wherever he goes. Dressed up or down he is always "Fa-bu-lous!"

APRIL (Jason) San Juan's very own sparkling diamond: 2012 is the year of April. By day, Jason makes his own costumes & serves ice cream at Maggie Moo's. By night, he's the island's It-girl. April is known to always take it to the next level and her congeniality is bowed down to wherever she goes.

KAYRA (Henry) Henry is a human rights activist on the west coast of Puerto Rico. With or without makeup, he is generous, kind, and determined; spreading the message of love and acceptance wherever he goes. Dressed up as Kayra, nothing can stop him.

ZAHARA (Alberic) The Paris Hilton of Puerto Rico, Zahara’s appearance is in constant flux. Anything to give her loving fans what they want: glamour.

ROCHELLE (Roberto) Rochelle is the intellectual of the group. When she speaks, her girls are all ears. She understands the complexity of the Puerto Rican identity and uses the best of both male and female worlds to overcome all obstacles. Her passion is acting, and if a boy is what the casting agent wants, then Rochelle has no problem morphing back into Roberto for the perfect role.

SAMANTHA Samantha is a former transsexual who began her transition with hormones from the black market until she had to stop due to medical complications. However, if the timing is right, Samantha would give the transition another try.

SOPHIA After a successful male-to-female transition in New York City, Sophia moved away to Puerto Rico to pursue her dream of owning a little bar on a small island. She ended up with Heaven & Hell, one of the biggest, and best, dance clubs in Puerto Rico.

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CAN I INCREASE MY PLEDGE ONCE IT'S BEEN MADE? Yes! Once you donate to our campaign, you may want to change your incentive reward to a different one, or increase your pledge amount. To do so, go to Kickstarter and sign in. If you go to our campaign page, the green “Back This Project” button has been replaced with a blue “Manage Your Donation” button. Click it and you can enter a new amount, or choose a new incentive.

CAN WE EXCEED THE GOAL? Yes! Exceeding the goal would help us pay for more of the costs to finish the film.

IS MY PLEDGE AMOUNT PUBLICLY DISPLAYED? No. Only you and the project owner will be able to see your pledge amount.

I'M NOT IN THE US, CAN I STILL PLEDGE? Yes, you can pledge from anywhere.

CAN I GIFT AN INCENTIVE? Yes! To "gift" your reward to someone else, please follow the normal process with the pledge and payment in your name. Once we've reached the deadline, we'll send you an email requesting the information we need to fulfill the reward (address, etc.) At that time, please reply with the contact info for the person that is to receive the reward and we'll follow through!

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MONEY ISN'T RAISED IN TIME? If our goal isn’t met before the deadline, we don't receive any of the pledges. Your credit or debit card will not be charged.

HOW CAN I CONTACT YOU?You can send us an email through this kickstarter website OR you can contact us danandantonio@gmail.com

BUDGET

We have over 50 hours of film footage from our trips to the island. But to finish telling the MALA MALA story we need your help. With your generous contributions we will be able to fund:

Equipment Rentals (cameras, microphones, lighting, etc.)

Production Crew including Director of Photography

To continue conducting interviews, which includes air and car travel for crew.

FAQ

Rewards

Pledge $1 or more

THANK YOU on the Mala Mala website & gratitude for supporting our project and community! Please help spread the word about the film!

Estimated delivery:Sep 2012

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Pledge $5 or more

15 backers

BUMPER STICKER You will receive a limited edition bumper sticker with the film's title PLUS your name on our super special appreciation section on the film's website.
Please add $5 for delivery outside of US and Puerto Rico

Estimated delivery:Sep 2012

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

22 backers

LIGHTER A limited edition Bic lighter cuatom-designed with the Mala Mala titled by a New York or Puerto Rican artist. DELIVERY NOTE: Because of post office regulations, Lighters are available for pickup in New York (Manhattan & Brooklyn) and Puerto Rico only

Estimated delivery:Sep 2012

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Pledge $20 or more

56 backers

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD One digital download of the completed film.

Estimated delivery:May 2013

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Pledge $25 or more

54 backers

DVD A copy of the film inside a printed sleeve.
Please add $10 for delivery outside of US and Puerto Rico

Pledge $50 or more

33 backers

SPECIAL EDITION DVD Collector's Edition of the DVD with Behind-the-Scenes footage, deleted scenes, Interviews with the cast of Mala Mala, Director's Commentary, etc.
Please add $5 for delivery outside the US or Puerto Rico.

Pledge $125 or more

6 backers

ARTIST EDITION POSTER You will receive a limited edition movie poster designed by New York or Puerto Rican artist PLUS a Thanks in the credits of the film PLUS TSHIRT PLUS Digital Download of film PLUS Bumper Sticker.
Please add $10 for delivery outside the US or Puerto Rico.

Estimated delivery:May 2013

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Pledge $150 or more

3 backers

ARTIST EDITION POSTER PLUS Special Edition DVD. You will receive a limited edition movie poster designed by New York or Puerto Rican artist PLUS TSHIRT PLUS Bumper Sticker
Please add $10 for delivery outside the US and Puerto Rico

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

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Pledge $200 or more

2 backers
Limited (48 left of 50)

2 TICKETS TO PRIVATE SCREENING and talkback in New York City with Director Duo Dan & Antonio. PLUS Special Edition DVD PLUS Tshirt PLUS Bumper Sticker

Pledge $500 or more

1 backer

2 TICKETS TO PUERTO RICO PREMIERE PLUS SPECIAL EDITION DVD. Walk the red carpet with the ladies from the film at Mala Mala's Puerto Rican premiere. Travel and lodging accommodations not included. Date TBA

Estimated delivery:Aug 2013

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Pledge $500 or more

5 backers
All gone!

THE 3 DAY MALA MALA EXPERIENCE IN PUERTO RICO
You will receive our super special Mala Mala map of Puerto Rico with all the film locations: secret caves, hidden beaches, waterfalls, rivers, and more. Up to 7 will stay at one of the filming locations: a beach house (2-bedroom Mediterranean style duplex). Ground transportration/Air Travel not included. The Mala Mala experience must be scheduled 1 month in advance.

Pledge $1,000 or more

4 backers
Limited (7 left of 11)

THE 7 DAY MALA MALA EXPERIENCE IN PUERTO RICO
You will receive our super special Mala Mala map of Puerto Rico with all the film locations: secret caves, hidden beaches, waterfalls, rivers, and more. Up to 7 will stay at one of the filming locations: a beach house (2-bedroom Mediterranean style duplex). Ground transportration/Air Travel not included. The Mala Mala Experience must be scheduled 1 month in advance.

Pledge $10,000

0 backers

THE GOLD PACKAGE (Accommodates up to 5 people). Earn an executive Producer Credit in the film, five tickets to the premiere in Puerto Rico, tee shirts, DVDs, posters, and a coffee table book. A driver will be sent to pick you up in your red carpet best for the Puerto Rican premiere along with a bottle of champagne. Hotel & Airfare not included.